5th January 2016
The Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD has welcomed new unemployment figures published today which show that unemployment is continuing to fall.
The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the unemployment rate for December 2015 was 8.8%. This is down significantly from the same period last year, when the jobless rate stood at 10.2%.
Minister Nash said, “There are more than 29,000 people back at work compared to December last year and I am sure that these people and their families are looking forward to 2016 with much more optimism. But, we still have more work to do to reach our goal of full employment and cannot afford to become complacent.”
“Through the combined approaches of the Action Plan for Jobs in my Department and Pathways to Work championed by the Tánaiste, we will achieve that goal. Equally, however, I want to ensure that the jobs that are being created are decent, sustainable jobs which pay people enough to live on and ensure that they can enjoy the dignity of work.”
“January 1st saw the introduction of the newly increased National Minimum Wage of €9.15 per hour, which will mean a welcome boost to the take home pay of the 124,000 lowest paid workers in this country. Cuts to USC and increases in the old age pension and child benefit allowance should also mean that workers and families right around the country are beginning to share the hard won gains of our economic recovery.”
ENDS
For more information contact Deirdre Grant 086 0484 279 or press.office@djei.ie 01 631 2200
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